Senior benefits in Del Norte County, California

Every California county is served by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) — a single point of contact that connects older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities in Del Norte County to in-home supportive services, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, family-caregiver support, benefits and insurance counseling (HICAP), and California's Medi-Cal home- and community-based long-term-care programs. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Call the Del Norte County Area Agency on Aging directly at 707-442-3763, or reach the statewide Aging & Disability Resource Connection at 1-800-510-2020 to be connected to local services.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

California's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households pay home heating and cooling bills, with one-time crisis help when service is past due or shut off. It is funded federally and run statewide by the California Department of Community Services & Development (CSD). In Del Norte County it is delivered by the local CSD-contracted service provider; find yours with the CSD 'Find Services in Your Area' locator or the online application portal. Households generally qualify at or below 60% of the state median income; older adults and people with disabilities are prioritized. Payments usually go straight to the utility company. Apply online at CaLIHEAPApply or through your local provider.

Estimated bill savings: $94–$1,500 a year

Hospitals serving Del Norte County — including Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City — must provide financial assistance under California's Hospital Fair Pricing Act. Uninsured patients (and insured patients with high medical costs) with household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for charity care or discounted payment; many nonprofit systems give fully free care at lower income levels (for example, Dignity Health provides free care up to 250% of the poverty level). Eligible patients are never charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Ask any hospital's financial-counseling or billing office for its Financial Assistance Policy and application; the state's HCAI publishes every hospital's policy.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$20,000 a year

Del Norte County General Assistance is the county-funded cash-aid program for indigent adults who are not eligible for federal or state cash-assistance programs. For a low-income senior it is mainly a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) claim is pending. To apply or for more information, call Del Norte County Health & Human Services at 1-707-464-3191, or apply online via BenefitsCal.

In this county: Del Norte County General Assistance has conditions this check cannot confirm for you: you must be an indigent adult resident, not eligible for federal/state categorical aid programs. Specific eligibility tests are administered by Del Norte County Health & Human Services. Apply by phone (1-707-464-3191) or online via BenefitsCal.

Redwood Coast Transit Dial-A-Ride is the ADA complementary paratransit service for the Redwood Coast Transit Authority (RCTA) fixed-route service area in Del Norte County. Eligibility is functional, not age-based: you must be unable to use regular fixed-route service due to a disability. To apply, call 1-707-308-7433 for an application; certification typically involves a written application and may include a functional assessment.

In this county: Redwood Coast Transit Dial-A-Ride eligibility is functional (disability that prevents using regular Redwood Coast Transit Authority (RCTA) fixed-route service) and is determined by the agency after a written application and possible functional assessment — this check cannot perform that assessment. Start by calling 1-707-308-7433.

Redwood Coast Transit Authority (RCTA) operates the public transit service for Del Norte County. Riders 65 and older qualify for the senior reduced fare. To pay the discounted fare, present an agency-issued ID, a California DMV ID/license, or a Medicare card with photo ID. To apply for the discount ID or for more information, contact the agency at 1-707-308-7433.

Estimated service value: $100–$300 a year